For a section of city youngsters, their hairdo is more important than safety. A few youngsters confessed to HT that they do not like to wear helmets as it messes up their hairdo and is uncomfortable. So, despite a hefty hike in the fine for bikers found riding without helmets (Rs 500 since January 21), they continue to zoom around the city roads flaunting their hairstyle.

No wonder, the police issues challans to at least 100 helmet rule violators in the city every day.

"I don't wear a helmet because it makes my hair messy and it doesn't look cool," a 23-year-old MBA student and model Arjun Saini said. Mass communication student Bhagvendra Singh (23) gives a bizarre reason. He doesn't wear a helmet as he is scared of going bald by doing so. "Also, how could one wear a helmet after applying gel on the hair?" he asks. ITI student Narendra Verma (22) says he is not comfortable riding the bike wearing a helmet. "It is really difficult to look backward while wearing a helmet," he argues.

Vivek (25), a medical representative, confessed that instead of wearing a helmet he keeps it hanging from his hand. "That way, it looks cool and at the same time I can wear it when I see policemen and get away by not paying the fine," he says.

25-year-old BHEL official Abhishek Raghuwanshi confesses to have bribed traffic police with Rs. 100 whenever caught riding a bike without a helmet.

It is clear that even the hike in fine has made no difference to youngsters who do not want to wear the safety headgear.

Last year a 'no helmet, no petrol' campaign was initiated by Bhopal district collector to make people aware about the importance of wearing a helmet.